Head of Construction and Commissioning
The role
The Head of Construction and Commissioning is responsible for the operation of the Construction and Commissioning function within an assigned business grouping or operating unit.
Our clients and projects
Designing the future. Transforming the world.
Wood's Oil, Gas & New Energies business is built on a strong legacy of delivering large and complex projects for national and international energy companies across the globe. We have experienced teams, a proven delivery model and a strong reputation.
We are the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions that challenge the status quo in the oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonization and electrification markets. We pride ourselves in steady and predictable delivery, setting our sights on an exciting growth trajectory.
Energy security, transition and supply have never been more important. You, our enabling teams, are at the very forefront of transformative projects that are providing sustainable power to generations to come. We are the ones to bring low-carbon concepts to reality.
What we can offer
Meaningful and interesting projects: Delivered to high profile clients across the energy sector
Commitment to diversity and inclusion: We are an organization actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business
Competitive remuneration package: With regular reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
Medical insurance: Ensures inpatient and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment
Group life and personal accident insurance: The company provides life assurance cover
End of service gratuity: In line with UAE labor law, all employees are eligible for an end of service benefit
The employee share plan: Gives you the opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company
Long service award: Wood values the commitment and loyalty of our people. Celebrating long service provides an opportunity for the business to demonstrate their appreciation of the hard work, dedication and many years’ services of our employees at 5-year service milestones
Commitment to continued professional development: Development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests
Global connections: Join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession
Energy Transition Academy: Join a community of experts sharing your knowledge and gaining more exposure to a variety of existing and emerging energy systems - delivered by experts in their field
The key objectives for this role are:
Drives and assures delivery excellence in construction and commissioning activity across assigned business grouping. Accountable for functional management and development of construction and commissioning resources and governance of construction and commissioning practices and procedures.
Has functional oversight of the performance of all construction and commissioning activity in their assigned business grouping.
The Head of Construction and Commissioning leads by example, consistently displaying and enforcing the company’s values and behaviours, role modelling commitment to the highest standards of safe and ethical behaviour and creating an inclusive work environment to ensure safe and reliable operations, on-time delivery of executed work, and client satisfaction.
- Construction & commissioning delivery & performance
Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Assurance (HSSEA)
Drive a strong HSSEA culture and performance, with particular emphasis on:
Site-based projects.
HSSE input during design to minimize site risks.
Ensure the safe and secure delivery of projects while protecting contract margins.
Project delivery
Ensure Construction Management effectively manages project scopes in accordance with:
Company policies and procedures.
Client contractual requirements.
Ensure Project Management and Project Controls effectively manage construction and commissioning scopes.
Ensure project risk management processes are consistently applied.
Ensure construction and commissioning proposals and projects are adequately resourced with qualified personnel.
Manage departmental overhead budgets and optimize resource utilization to minimize non-productive time.
Act as Project Sponsor for allocated projects, where required.
Lead construction and field commissioning involvement during both:
Home office engineering.
Field execution and operations.
- Strategy & business development
Business growth
Support business development activities to identify and secure new opportunities.
Identify opportunities to improve project margins.
Promote and strengthen the use of HVEC operations in project execution.
Proposal & bid support
Provide construction and commissioning input into proposals.
Demonstrate organizational capability and identify appropriate engineering and construction resources.
Provide technical support during bid preparation and bid reviews.
Identify and coordinate Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) where required.
Systems development
Lead the development of the Construction Management System.
Collaborate with specialist software suppliers and discipline heads to improve construction management processes.
- People management & capability development
Leadership
Provide line management for direct reports.
Oversee all construction engineering and management personnel (typically 50–200 staff depending on workload).
Manage:
Performance reviews
Salary reviews
Career progression
Training and development
Strategic workforce planning
Set the vision and strategic direction for the Construction & Commissioning function.
Communicate strategic objectives aligned with the organization's:
Mission
Vision
Values
Motivate teams to achieve business objectives.
Resource planning
Determine future resource and capability requirements.
Support recruitment and selection of senior and key personnel.
Identify competency gaps and implement upskilling initiatives.
Talent & competency development
Oversee formal career development frameworks.
Ensure effective workforce planning using organizational resource histograms.
Ensure competence assurance across the Construction & Commissioning function.
Develop personnel to progress into more senior roles.
Performance management
Set performance objectives for direct reports and wider team members.
Monitor and report team performance.
Implement corrective actions where necessary to achieve business objectives.
Diversity & inclusion
Create an inclusive working environment.
Ensure recruitment, selection and development processes remain fair and free from bias.
Resource allocation
Lead allocation of construction and field commissioning personnel to projects.
Support resource planning across the wider organization.
- Governance, policies & procedures
Develop local Construction & Commissioning procedures aligned with Wood policies and standards.
Maintain familiarity with current technical applications used within Wood.
Optimize the use of construction and field commissioning technologies.
Participate in project and proposal management reviews.
- Working relationships
Internal stakeholders
Regular interaction with:
Project Management teams
Project Controls
Site personnel
Engineering disciplines
Heads of Discipline (local and global offices)
Business Development teams
Proposal teams
Operational leadership
Functional leadership
Technical networks and Communities of Practice
Key responsibilities
Support project execution excellence.
Secure new business opportunities.
Receive strategic and operational direction from leadership.
Promote company-wide best practices.
External stakeholders
Regular interaction with:
Current and prospective clients
Customers
Vendors
Subcontractors
Construction management software suppliers
Industry bodies
Professional institutions
Auditors
Quality certification bodies
Key responsibilities
Influence development of construction management software.
Adopt industry best practices.
Support quality assurance and compliance for construction and commissioning processes.
- Key leadership responsibilities (summary)
The role is accountable for:
Driving HSSEA excellence.
Delivering safe and profitable construction and commissioning projects.
Leading business development support and proposal activities.
Developing construction management systems and processes.
Managing large multidisciplinary construction teams.
Workforce planning and capability development.
Performance management and competency assurance.
Budget and resource optimization.
Governance, compliance and continuous improvement.
Building strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Supporting strategic growth and operational excellence.
- Qualifications
The successful candidate should possess:
Minimum ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) in:
Engineering
Science
Or equivalent expertise gained through extensive industry experience.
Chartered Membership of a relevant professional institute/association or
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) status or equivalent professional accreditation.
- Knowledge, skills & experience
The role requires significant experience and expertise in the following areas:
Technical & industry experience
Extensive knowledge and practical experience in the construction and commissioning of complex projects.
Significant field-based construction experience within the relevant industry sector.
Strong understanding of:
Engineering
Procurement
Construction
Commissioning (EPCC) processes and tools.
Project delivery
Proven track record of successful project delivery.
Strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities.
Demonstrated experience delivering projects safely and efficiently.
Comprehensive understanding of client business drivers and commercial objectives.
Leadership & communication
Proven leadership in promoting and delivering safe work practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong presentation and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Personal attributes
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Leadership
Ability to influence stakeholders and achieve results.
Strong leadership presence with a proactive approach to decision-making.
Problem solving
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to make sound decisions in complex project environments.
Collaboration
Ability to work effectively within diverse, multicultural teams.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across:
Senior leadership
Peers
Cross-functional teams
Values & behaviour
Acts as a role model for Wood's values and behaviours.
Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara - a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies.
Diversity statement
We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.